The federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs wrapped up this week with a partial victory for the music mogul with jurors discovering him responsible of transportation for prostitution, however clearing him of costs that would have saved him behind bars for all times.
However the dramatic authorized saga that captivated the general public and supplied a glimpse into the lifetime of one of many nation’s strongest music figures is way from over. He nonetheless faces dozens of civil lawsuits accusing him of misconduct and sexual assault.
“This verdict doesn’t make the civil circumstances go away, the place the burden of proof is far decrease,” stated Dmitry Gorin, a former intercourse crimes prosecutor and protection lawyer. “The legal case might have been extra profitable in state court docket as to what the federal government truly proved — home violence and extortion.”
And the way a lot time Combs will spend behind bars for the prostitution-related conviction stays unknown.
The jury’s cut up verdict leaves Combs going through as much as 10 years in jail for every of the 2 counts of prostitution. The jury of eight males and 4 girls discovered him not responsible of intercourse trafficking by power, fraud or coercion; and racketeering, which may have carried a life sentence. In a letter in search of to maintain him in jail, prosecutors listed sentencing tips starting from 51 to 63 months, or simply over 5 years.
Gorin stated it’s possible that Combs’ attorneys will push for probation.
“He was discovered accountable for paying intercourse employees to journey throughout state strains, however on the finish of the day that may be a loss for the federal government,” he stated.
Decide Arun Subramanian additionally has appreciable latitude in deciding simply how a lot time Combs will serve. To this point, Subramanian hasn’t gone simple on the superstar.
He dominated Wednesday that Combs would stay jailed on the Metropolitan Detention Middle in Brooklyn till his sentencing listening to, citing previous violent incidents that his attorneys acknowledged through the trial.
In explaining his determination, Subramanian referenced testimony by Combs’ ex-girlfriend, recognized solely as Jane, that the superstar choked and dragged her throughout an argument in June 2024 when Combs was conscious he was being investigated.
“It’s unattainable for the defendant to display by clear and convincing proof that he poses no hazard,” Subramanian stated.
Combs’ attorneys had proposed a $1-million bond and supplied to give up his passport, have him endure drug testing and prohibit his journey to New York, Los Angeles and Miami.
In a letter arguing for his launch, Combs’ attorneys famous that Combs has youngsters and an 85-year-old mom with varied well being circumstances who would love her son to be her main caretaker.
“It might be unjust to proceed detaining Mr. Combs on the MDC even at some point longer, particularly since — given the sentencing tips for these prostitution offenses — he would in any other case be entitled to serve any further time imposed at a lower-security facility,” his attorneys wrote.
Nonetheless, Subramanian stated detention is “obligatory” for the prostitution-related cost, often called the Mann Act. Combs’ sentencing date has not been set, however the decide proposed holding the listening to in October.
Through the trial, prosecutors portrayed Combs and his associates as luring feminine victims, typically below the pretense of a romantic relationship. As soon as he had gained their curiosity, prosecutors stated Combs used power, threats of power, coercion and medicines to get them to interact in intercourse acts with male prostitutes whereas he sometimes watched in gatherings that Combs known as “freak-offs.”
Jurors heard from three girls, two former girlfriends and a private assistant, who described a tradition inside the empire that prosecutors likened to a mob-style racketeering operation. In charging Combs with racketeering, the federal government alleged his firm, Dangerous Boy Leisure, functioned as a legal enterprise that threatened and abused girls and used members to interact in a litany of crimes together with kidnapping, intercourse trafficking, bribery, arson, compelled labor and obstruction of justice.
On the stand, witnesses testified that Combs gave the ladies ketamine, ecstasy and GHB to “preserve them obedient and compliant” through the performances.
In Might, because the trial was underway, a reporter requested President Trump in regards to the case, noting he has the facility to pardon people convicted of federal crimes.
Trump informed reporters nobody had requested him about pardoning the superstar. He stated he hadn’t been following the case intently and would “actually have a look at the details.”
“I do know individuals are excited about it,” Trump stated. “I believe some individuals have been very near asking.”
